Boundaries
Psalm 119:9-11
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Boundaries are vital for life. They ensure that we remain safe, they also keep us on the course that God has set for us (Hebrews 12:1) God doesn’t ask us to ‘find our own way’, no, He has a course set out for us and we are called as believers to follow in obedience. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would see the importance and value of God’s boundaries and would respect and abide by them.
Too often we balk against boundaries. Rather than seeing them as the frontiers of where we can reach and how far we can grow, we see them as restrictive and, sometimes, a punishment. Instead of ‘look at where you can go!” we see “look at where you can’t go, that’s off limits”. We push back against boundaries, seeing them as an infringement of our independence, but oblivious to the dangers of the influences and experience beyond them. And the result of that point of view is dissatisfaction, selfish pouting or anger and, ultimately, it can lead to disobedience and falling into sin….and potentially away from the faith.
We need to trust that our Shepherd means us good and not harm. So we should trust His boundaries as a blessing that ensures our thriving. He makes us lie down in green pastures (Psalm 23:2). He gives us rest and nourishment that is safe and healthy. He leads us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3). Again, ensuring that the boundary of the path we are walking is good and leads to eternal life. Boundaries keep us from sin. Sin leads to death.
How can our sons and daughters keep their way pure? By living according to God’s Word. His word is the guidebook for life and the map for our path. It shows direction and gives warning. It reveals the heart of our Father who desires good for us. Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters seek God with all their heart and make a commitment to know and live His word so that they can be protected and be productive in their spiritual walk. Boundaries are God’s way of ensuring His children are walking with Him. Isn’t that what we desire for them?
“Father, You are a good God. You love us so well and part of You loving care is that You created boundaries for us to ensure we can thrive in the best ways. I pray that You would help (name) to recognize that Your boundaries are good and a blessing, not a punishment. Open their eyes to see the dangers of straying outside the bounds of Your will and Your path. Let them know the fruitful life that comes from obeying Your word. I pray that (name) would begin to memorize scripture so they can live according to Your word and so that You can bring those words to mind to help them avoid sin and temptation. Lord, Your word is living and active and I pray it would be so in (name)’s heart and mind. Please let (name) seek You with all their heart today. Stir in them a love for You and a thirst for Your word. Ensure they walk within the boundaries You set so they live a life that reflects Jesus to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.